Surprisingly, Qatar is one of the most connected Middle Eastern countries. Although it has only experienced the rise of internet users in recent years, the government is already aware of the treachery the internet entails. Hence, it has started to clamp down on potential threats by employing bans or practicing censorship. To be fair, the Qatar regime isn’t too oppressive. However, users can’t access regular sites like Facebook or Instagram. Such an environment gave rise to the acceptance of VPNs (virtual private networks) in the daily lives of an average netizen. We have observed Qatar’s VPN adoption rate, which was 53% in 2020 before jumping to 69% in 2021. Hence, we wanted to demonstrate the best VPNs for Qatar. Let’s begin.
Does Qatar ban the use of VPNs?
No, the Qatar regime doesn’t ban the use of VPNs. However, it is under the premise that VPNs are not implied illegally. Any unlawful activity, even when performed via a VPN, will be deemed such under the law. Thus, Qatar doesn’t ban VPNs, but it prohibits users from utilizing them illegally.
Description — We do not condone the illegal use of a VPN. We do not recommend using VPN outside legal boundaries and guidelines. Also, the following article and the list of VPNs aren’t ranked in the order that everyone will agree with. Some readers will treasure certain perks far more than others.
Best VPNs for Qatar
Let’s dive into the list of top VPNs to use in Qatar:
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is undoubtedly the most popular VPN of recent times. However, it is an old guard that has been in service for the last decade (since 2012). Hailing from Panama, one can safely assume that NordVPN focuses on privacy foremost. The same is reflected in its strict no-logging policy. Nord is a vendor that tries its best to evoke user trust. As a result, it is the only VPN provider to have consecutive independent audits. But that’s not all the VPN is—it is an all-rounder. Be it streaming, torrenting, gaming, or bypassing censorship, NordVPN performs exceptionally well on multiple fronts.
The VPN network consists of over 5000 VPN servers that span 60 countries. Hence, speed is also a cornerstone for the vendor. That is why most Qatar residents find themselves employing NordVPN. You can give the VPN a try as it is a relatively cheaper top-tier product. The price of $3.3 per month on a 2-year plan is a steal. Plus, there’s a money-back guarantee if you want to quit. If you can’t make up your mind and want to know more about the service, quickly heed our NordVPN review.
2. ExpressVPN
This VPN needs no introduction. For us, ExpressVPN is the epitome of a VPN service. The vendor focuses on quality over quantity, and as a result, the ExpressVPN network of 3000 servers is one of the most advanced and strategically placed we have seen. The VPN originates from the British Virgin Islands and advocates data privacy. It uses the latest innovative and revolutionary security protocols and encryption practices to deliver an infallible service. Reaching 94 countries, the VPN has a stable connection on longer distances and can work from any corner of the world.
However, the service isn’t cheap, since the lowest price you can get is $8.3 per month on a 1-year plan. Although it costs a lot, the VPN is an excellent choice for streaming and torrenting. Also, with the latest advanced obfuscation in play, you can stay one step ahead of blocks. There is always a 30-day money-back guarantee that can allow you to experience the service without a loss. For further information, you can give our ExpressVPN review a try.
3. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN is a value for money option that comes equipped with the essentials. Many users love the service as it is easy to use, and the apps themselves are simple yet intuitive. But on the other hand, this mid-tier service is only suitable for beginners. Moderate speed and slower connections are the banes of Surfshark. The network has only 3000 servers, and they cover 65 countries. Thus, the VPN has a lot to improve. But hailing from the Netherlands, the vendor tries its best to offer a robust privacy and security experience.
We love Surfshark because it is cheaper yet has decent features. It works well on the streaming and torrenting front. And it is capable enough to bypass blocks and bans. Although, for $2.49 monthly on a two-year plan, you can’t expect more from a quality provider. If you are not convinced yet, please give our Surfshark VPN review a try before giving up.
4. IPVanish VPN
IPVanish is a VPN that is fast, private, and secure, and it focuses on entertainment. Thus, it is a service that streaming platform users like Kodi or Fire Stick users clamor about. The vendor has one of the most successful Fire TV Stick apps we have ever seen and offers unlimited simultaneous connections, DNS servers, SOCKS5, and other relevant features to attract like-minded users. The VPN also provides .apk files for sideloading. However, the network that spans 50 countries and consists of 2000 servers is a major contributor to its standing as a quality mid-tier provider.
The network ensures fast local speeds for torrenting and streaming, but the VPN is costly for its all it does. At $4 per month for a yearly plan, the completion is tough. However, the service offers over 40000 IP addresses to offset any negative influence. Although the VPN is good on several fronts, bypassing blocks and bans is not its cup of tea. Thus, users should expect things in moderation, but not be discouraged. You can still learn more about the service with our IPVanish review.
5. PIA (Private Internet Access)
The last VPN to grace our list is another one of the old guards – Private Internet Access, or PIA. It is not only the cheapest one on our list but also the one with the largest network. However, due to its unstable connection issues and operational headquarters, it can’t rank higher in this scenario. The VPN hails from the United States, a member of the Five Eyes Alliance. But PIA tries its best to evoke user trustworthiness with features like a strict no-logging policy, independent audits, and a warrant canary. The VPN network covers 85 countries and has around 17000 servers.
Although, most are virtual or owned by third parties, which is also a reason for concern. However, PIA is a value-for-money option. It even offers an exclusive app for Linux and proffers above-average speed. On a two-year plan costing $2 per month, it is the cheapest VPN with a stable and working obfuscation. It can even challenge the Great Firewall of China. Yes, it has issues with the macOS client and Smart DNS, but we believe it is a good choice. If you are still concerned, please give our PIA review a chance.